Thursday, November 25, 2010

Unforgettable Dates + The Ban Of The BIS

There are some days that remain fresh in our hearts. Yes there are those great days which whenever we remember, we smile or just say a word of thanks to God. But in this post I am referring to those days that bring memories of pain, hurt, bitterness, guilt or regret. For instance December 24th and February 13th were notable dates for my worst heartbreaks. Thank God that is all history. September 11th remains a day for being in memorial. Thank God too for the healing over the years. But there was one, about a year ago, that held me captive. It was a day that reminded me of uncertainty, pain, loss, disappointment, “heartbreak from God” and my human weakness. When I used to think of that day, it is as though I was in a dark room with no hope that light will ever come. It was a day I wished God will completely erase from the timeline of my memory.

Have you ever had a day that remains very fresh in your memory with all the hurt and pain it reminds you of?

But God has promised to wipe away tears from off our faces [Isaiah 25:8]. He has promised to all who mourn that He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, and festive praise instead of despair [Isaiah 61:3]. He has also promised to restore the wasted years [Joel 2:25]. He will not give us amnesia for certain dates and events because He can use those days and events to His glory.

Today as I look back at that day, about a year ago, it is no more a day of uncertainty, pain, loss or disappointment. God Almighty has shown Himself true once again. He is a healer, He is a restorer and He is faithful to keep His promises. He is still God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. [The testimony is not ripe for this season].

I don’t know if you have a day that has remained evergreen in your memory, not because of the joy and pleasurable moments, but because of pain, hurt, disappointment or regret. I do not know if there is any day in your past where you live, that is you spend most of your time wallowing and wishing that day did not ever happen. I do not know if there is a day which appears to be defining your future in a way you do not want, yet you feel helpless about.

If you have any such days, I lift you up in prayer today – that our Almighty God and Father will heal you, will reveal to you the hope and future you have in Him, and give you peace that passes all understanding as you move away from that memory. I pray that you will be sensitive to His voice and His touch, and if He needs you to forgive or be reconciled with someone to bring about your healing, that you will submit to His will.

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Why my BIS was banned…the picture says it all...see me falling asleep with my phone...


Mr. Rita introduced me to Mr. BB and I did not waste time in getting acquainted with Mr. BB. Suddenly Mr. Rita became secondary to Mr. BB. I spent my days and nights with Mr. BB. But worse of all, I did not have time for my loving Father – He became an afterthought. So my BIS has been banned until I can demonstrate the ability to be prioritize right…Please do you have any tips? :-)

Have a blessed weekend ahead.

Monday, November 8, 2010

My Moments Of Enviousness

Some of the little foxes we overlook...2 Cases I want to share with you...

Case of Friend 1: This lady, I love (didn’t know how much until yesterday) and she will forever remain dear to my heart. We have come a long way, from when we first met at the camp in Aluu, Rivers State. I was 10 and she was 11. We just liked each other immediately. We met again in University about 7 years later. Same class, same course. How coincidental – my matric. number was just before hers. We remained friends though she was the saint and I the sinner. Thank God she never stopped praying that one day I will accept the gift of salvation.


We both got employed by the same company – I first. But when her job came (a testimony I keep thanking God for) it appeared to be better than mine. She made more money than I did. Today she is an international staff and I a “national staff”. In my moments of enviousness, I asked God, “Is she not my ‘mate’ again? I thought I had more advantage in grades and degrees? How come you gave her such a great opportunity that she even has more salary than I?”


As I spent time listening to and getting involved with the kind of sacrifices she makes, I began to realize that she had very huge responsibilities on her shoulders. Responsibilities which if I had, I may have run away from. Responsibilities which, if she had my salary, she may not be able to handle. Only the “additional” that came with her job, position and opportunity could take care of such responsibilities. I thank God that He knows what is best for us, and in His love and sovereignty, He takes care of our needs.


Case of Friend 2: This lady and I got promoted the same time last year, and to the same level. She was given a house, a car and a driver. I forgot to thank God for my promotion but had my eyes on all that came with her promotion. One day when we got talking, she said, “I have a big house, a new car and a driver, yet I do not get to see my husband to enjoy all these things with because of work!” I felt very ashamed of being envious of this lady.
Have you ever been jealous / envious of someone let alone someone so close?

Many of us have grown with the concept of “mate”. Hence whatever our mates have, we feel we should have. Many of us have been taught “competition” that when it seems our mates have surpassed us, we feel left out and try to get what our mates have. In my case, not only was I being covetous, I failed to be thankful for what I had.

Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another [Galatians 5:26, AMP]

The standard for measuring ourselves should not be our “mates” because there will always be a time when some of our mates will have more than we do, and some others will have less than we do. Our standard for measuring ourselves should be the will and purpose of God for our lives.

And let us be thankful for the blessing of God upon our lives.



Have a blessed week ahead.
 

Monday, November 1, 2010

Simply Thankful For The House

"If u desired it, but someone else got it before you did....don't loose hope, yours is still on the way ☺" Tweeted by

That was the last thing I wanted to see, read or hear after Mr. Rita called and told me he was not allowed into "the house" I wanted. We had been house-hunting since June and I had dedicated my vacation in August to ensuring we find a house within our specs. 'The house' met our specifications - location, price, size of rooms, services provided and environment. I was terribly disappointed when we were informed that the house was no longer available - someone paid that morning.

So we continued the house hunt. By this time I was no longer enthusiastic about the search. None of the houses we saw met our specifications. They were either too expensive (if they had the services and were of the quality we wanted) or they were of low quality (if they met our financial specifications).

Then, one Saturday, Mr. Rita showed me a house. The moment I walked into the compound, I fell in love. Little did I know that I would fall more in love with the "inside". After the inspection I told him, "please do not hesitate to pay Monday morning".

Over this weekend, we moved house. I love my new house. I love my new home. It is indeed a gift from God. I just want to say, "Thank You my loving Father". I am very grateful.

Now I am no longer vexing for  for that her tweet which, though was true and encouraging, seemed like someone was adding pepper and salt to my injury :-)

If you desired 'it' and someone else got it before you did, don't loose hope because yours is still on the way, better than you imagined.

Welcome to a new month, remain blessed.